Rice has become a staple food in many households. The Government is now looking at the potential to increase small holder production and at the same time maximize commercial farming.
The newly created Rice and Grain Board is at the forefront of achieving this Marape Rosso Government’s dream.
The Board Chairman, Mr Koren Maso visited the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) on Tuesday (13/05/25) to discuss avenues available for NARI to assist the Rice and Grain Board.
On hand to received Mr Maso was Director General of NARI, Dr Nelson Simbiken and Deputy Director, Dr Peter Gendua.
Discussions surrounded partnerships with the research centre to achieve the Government’s ambition to increase commercial rice production, assist small holder farmers with machinery to increase and improve yields while also looking at the potential to export seeds.
Maso visited the research site and had expert advise from Agronomist Mr Anthon Beko and Dr Gendua, who is an expert in Rice Farming and Techniques.
NARI currently has four lowland (coastal) rice varieties under research at the Momase Regional Centre.
After a tour of the rice paddies, the NARI experts explain the difference in variety, pest control, water management and the mechanisms for ploughing and harvesting using different machinery.
With technical and land support from NARI, Mr Maso hopes to reduce and over time replace rice imports.
Mr Maso assumed the role of the Chairman of the Rice and Grain Board in Dec 2023 following an NEC decision to set up the Board and prioritise the implementation of the National Rice Policy 2015-2030.
NEC Decision No. 369/2023, endorses K10 million to commence large scale commercial rice farm in PNG from the commercialization fund using NARI and Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) land for the first 2000 hectares with its regional seed banks to service 10 000 MSME rice out-growers to feed the large-scale commercial rice farm and rice mill.
An additional K1million is for the establishment of the Rice and Grain Board.
40% of the K11 million funding support is for the Seed Bank and the Out-Growers component.
Director General of NARI, Dr Nelson Simbiken said work will commence once that 40% funding is released.
“With many years of research, NARI is excited to partner with the Rice and Grain Board to take action and achieve the Government’s vision of large-scale rice production and downstream processing.”
